(JUBA) – Vice President Dr Benjamin Bol Mel, who also chairs South Sudan’s Economic Cluster, met with a delegation from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) on Thursday to update them on the country’s peace and development progress.
The meeting took place in Juba, as the IGAD team continues its peace mission aimed at supporting long term stability in South Sudan.
During the meeting, Vice President Bol Mel provided the IGAD delegation with a detailed briefing on the current political, economic and security situation in the country. He reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to achieving lasting peace and rebuilding national unity.
Dr Bol Mel said the government remained focused on implementing the peace agreement, addressing insecurity and improving livelihoods through ongoing economic reforms.
The Vice President also acknowledged the important role played by IGAD in mediating peace processes and supporting post-conflict recovery. He said the partnership between South Sudan and IGAD was essential for the successful implementation of peace and reform agendas. Dr Bol Mel expressed the government’s appreciation for IGAD’s technical and diplomatic support over the years.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Semaya Kumba, also attended the meeting and praised IGAD for its steady commitment to supporting South Sudan’s peace efforts. He said the organisation had shown consistent cooperation and had been a key partner in building confidence among the political parties and communities.
Workneh Gebeyehu, the IGAD Executive Secretary who led the delegation, assured the Vice President that IGAD would continue to stand with the people of South Sudan. He said the regional body’s commitment to peace in South Sudan was unshaken.
Gebeyehu commended the government for the tangible progress made in implementing the 2018 peace agreement and encouraged all stakeholders to remain focused on completing the remaining tasks.
The meeting comes as South Sudan prepares for its first national elections since independence, expected in late 2026. The country continues to face challenges including insecurity, economic hardship and delayed implementation of key transitional reforms.
IGAD has been central to mediating between South Sudan’s rival parties since the outbreak of civil war in 2013, which ended formally with the signing of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in 2018.
Officials said the meeting between Vice President Bol Mel and the IGAD delegation is part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to strengthen cooperation and ensure that peace gains are sustained ahead of the transition period’s conclusion.
